A new initiative is making waves across the Australian basketball community, with Basketball NSW officially launching Grit For Girls, a free, online education program designed to inspire, educate and empower girls in basketball at every level.
Developed by sports psychologist and former NSW junior Karen Haddad, the program blends lived experience with professional expertise to help young female athletes build resilience, develop confidence and navigate the challenges of competitive sport. Through evidence-based learning and relatable storytelling, Grit For Girls equips participants with the mental skills they need to thrive not only on the court but in life beyond basketball. BNSW would like to thank the NSW Government for funding the development of this program.
Structured around four evidence-based modules, Grit For Girls addresses the real challenges faced by females aged 13yrs+ in sport, providing practical strategies that can be applied immediately.
Modules include:
- Mental Health in Sport
- Motivation in Sport
- Barriers in Sport – addressing body image, self-doubt and negative thoughts
- Performance Enhancement – goal-setting and building a growth mindset
In addition to the athlete modules, there are tailored learning paths for parents and coaches to help create a consistent, supportive environment across courts, associations and communities at every level of the game.
Basketball NSW, Program Manager Women and Girls, Rachel Herrick said she is thrilled to see Grit For Girls come to life and be made accessible to girls of all backgrounds, skill levels and locations across the state.
“This is a program for all female participants of the game, whether they play, coach, officiate or administer the sport,” said Herrick.
“These are tools for life, and we’re really proud to have worked with Karen on something so meaningful. Having dedicated modules for coaches and parents also adds real value in building a support system that’s truly holistic.”
A section of the program has already been introduced to participants at this year’s U12 Metro Jamboree, where athletes and coaches engaged with the first modules and resources, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback on its relevance and impact. The introduction served as a pilot opportunity to showcase how mental resilience and confidence-building can be embedded for all ages.
Recommended for participants aged 13 and above, the program is ideal for athletes, referees, coaches and parents who want to be part of shaping a more inclusive, confident, and supportive future for women’s basketball.
How to sign up? Grit For Girls is hosted on the eTrainu platform and is free of charge. Participants can complete the course at their own pace and will receive a certificate of completion. To visit the eTrainu Training Library CLICK HERE. When creating an account, select “NSW Accreditations and Education” from the drop-down menu to locate the course.
Associations across New South Wales are also encouraged to incorporate Grit For Girls into their local programs and development pathways. Those interested in rolling out the initiative within their community can contact Rachel Herrick at [email protected] for further information and support.
Watch the welcome video below from Karen to learn more about Grit for Girls.